Naki Feralkin said:
It should only be common sense for the person with the large reputation should ask to send first. Granted, that person probably has a lot more to be able to sacrifice and can easily make the person with the short refs' life very miserable by making their reputation look bad.
Perhaps it should be something based on trade depth? An example, maybe?
Lets say you have about 43 refs to my 4. I have experience, but the experience in trade I have is stuff like Bronzong (MD) for Torterra (MD) or something of that sort, very low end trades. Lets take a look at you. You're a renowned trader in the forums with experiences trading everything from TSD's to Claydols to Wailord EX's.
Now, you and I come along and I see something you have on my list and vice versa, you have (hypothetically) a Flygon Level X (Bonds), and you're looking at my Hippowdon Level X.
Assuming this current situation for the worst (Lets assume they were both in english and very high in demand since both are in this hypothetical moment BDIF's and both cards can easily go for 40 bucks.), I ask you, the superior trader to send first. Would you honestly say you would not refuse? I could easily get your package in the mail be like: "Hey, two ground pokemon for the price of one" and leave you in the dust since I'd gotten everything I needed? Its obvious thats what these portuguese traders were thinking. I know you wouldn't do it since you're a renowned trader who banks on trader trust. I get your point with dealing with it between two people, but I've heard/seen too many traders who absolutely demand that the opposing person has to send first. I would send first if I had to being the smaller man simply because I have never traded over mail (secrets does it for me.)
Now, I don't believe in banning Portuguese traders outright as that is totally and stupidly racist in every way possible, and I think the person who implemented this really should have thought first, however, I would not be against any continuing Portuguese trader sending first because of trust issues that have occurred with them in past experiences.
If you want to do it that way, I don't see a problem with it, but realize that you would be doing so at your own risk.
If you want to keep bringing this up, its cool. I've been tame the entire time and I'm quite sure Secrets is doing the same. I don't particularly like being banned from a site just because I want to be vulgar. I already stated I'm a moderator at another forum and I believe holding my reputation as a mod is more important than mouthing off some guy I probably may never see in real life or may end up maintaining a good conversation with at another less aggressive time. Its the intraweb, you can be as vulgar as you want, but if you want to look stupid in the process, thats the way to go.
On the record, I did this of my own accord. Secrets is perfectly capable to continue arguing, and she didn't run off to me for protection, if thats what you're getting at.
Let's say I had an obscene number of refs on another Pokemon website (take pokemonmike(?) for example) or eBay. I am wanting to do a trade similar to yours. I have 0 refs, and the other person has 4, which consists of very low price cards. If I could prove that I am the one linked to those other reputations, would it not be reasonable to ask that the other person sends first?
That's exactly the point. It's at your own discretion. You can easily say in the "rules" of your trading thread "I follow the rep system", and that's that. If someone chooses to follow that, so be it. If someone enters another store owners shop who has 0-5 reps, and has a strong trading background elsewhere, whose rules state "because of my reputation on (insert site here), I ask that anyone with 20 or less reps sends first" they may choose to say "that seems fair enough" or "seems to fishy to me, I'll find my card elsewhere". It's as simple as that.
Obviously having a common username won't be enough. A simple verification system would be that if someone wants to link to their reputation on another site, it must be verified by a Trading Council member. It's not all that tough, they could just use the account they claim ownership of and send a message using it to a TC member on that site (i.e. if it were eBay I would use "Contact Member" to send an eBay message to whichever TC member is interested in verifying).
The point is that the person who is most familiar with how much of a risk they're willing to take (because no matter how high the ref, there always is one, as Roxasora and lost mail has proven) and act based on that.
I have enough respect for the both of you that I assumed you did it of your own accord. I didn't take her for an infant and I'm glad to here my assumption was correct. That being said, the comment was made as more of a grounder (as obviously we seem to hold the opinion) than any sort of implication. Just make sure you're wanting to be vulgar with me for the right reasons (being wrong and refusing to admit it, not for being a jerk to a friend).
Now that being said, a few things need to happen.
First off, unlock the rules thread in the trading corner. Allow people to comment, and ask for clarifications on them. Better now than later.
Secondly, when the rules are finally settled, the TC needs to crack down on violators. I would suggest a TC member posts in any threads that violate any new policy (it will mostly be the selling portion) and if they wish maybe even list off what rule they are in violation of. If it hasn't been corrected in 24 hours, lock it. Any time spent hoping that people will read this and make a point of changing to be in line with the rules would be better spent hoping I win the lotto (and I can't even play).
Lastly, those other changes I'm proposing.
Trading Threads!
8. In order to link to trading reputations on any other site (whether it be eBay or another forum), you MUST verify the account with a member of the Trade Council. Each process is a little different, but requires that the owner use the account to send a message to one of ours on the same site. Once the account has been verified, the Trade Council member will post in your thread stating that they have verified that you are the owner of said account. Below is a list of who to contact for verification on each site. Please PM the user on POKEBEACH FIRST to get their ID and details on what they would like you to do. If you create a new trading thread, you must do this process over again.
Pokegym: Secretsof2113
eBay:
... etc
Selling!
If you have any questions about selling feel free to contact vilebaseball or a member of the Trading Council with questions. (You may feel free to remove my name, although in terms of procedure, I may be of help).
(Replace) 1. In order to sell, you need to be verified by the Trading Council as a whole (a vote will be taken by the council as a whole). We are looking at a way to mark usernames to show that a user has been a verified seller. For the time being, a verified seller tag will be added by a Trade Council member to the threads of those who are approved. All applicants must have been a member of Pokebeach for at least three months and have no less than 25 unique references when applying. Meeting both of those standards does not automatically qualify you to be permitted to sell. It is only the minimum requirement for consideration.
(Replace) 2. ALL SELLERS must accept Paypal as a form of payment. If you do not have access to a Paypal account, you will need to create one before you can begin selling.
(Replace) 3. If the payment is being made via Paypal, it is suggested that the buyer sends payment first, regardless of reputation. Otherwise, as with trading cards, we always suggest that the Rep System be followed. In the end, it is up to the buyer and seller to decide.
(Replace) 5. DO NOT use price haggling as a way to bump your thread. If someone offers you a price for an item, don't just say "too low" or "it's worth more than that". It is your responsibility to offer them a compromise or at the very least the price you were wanting to get. Ideally, sellers will list the prices by their items from the get-go.
(Replace) 6. We encourage buyers to use Paypal for sending payments. If that option is not available, USPS Money Orders or cash are also simple ways of sending payment. Make sure that the cash or money order cannot easily be seen through the light before sending it! You should contact your seller about any other form of payment.
These are what I could come up with for now. I'm sure there's more I'm not thinking of. While I wouldn't object to blind acceptance of these, I am more than open to any who disagree or wish to play Devil's advocate. I'm sure I'll think of some more changes later as well.
